**Anti-Corruption Bureau Targets Civil Society Organizations**
The Anti-Corruption Bureau in Georgia has sent court orders to several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) demanding that they hand over sensitive information. This includes confidential data about their beneficiaries, which is a significant concern for these organizations.
**Background**
On June 18, the Bureau targeted Transparency International Georgia, Sapari, the Civil Society Foundation, the Economic Policy Research Center, and Georgia’s Future Academy with similar requests. These NGOs are now being asked to provide personal data of beneficiaries, organizational correspondence, and letters.
**Concerns Raised by NGOs**
The Social Justice Center (SJC) has expressed deep concerns about the court orders, stating that they would effectively place their work under total government control. The SJC also noted that the requested information is “unbelievably broad” and would allow for a blatant interference in their advocacy and human rights defense work.
**Analysis**
The Anti-Corruption Bureau’s actions have sparked fears among civil society organizations that they are being targeted for their legitimate activities. The Bureau’s court motions cite four laws, but omit the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which is not relevant to these NGOs.
The Social Justice Center has pointed out that the specific provisions cited in the court orders do not apply to civil society organizations. The SJC also noted that the amendments to the Law on Grants, which authorize the Bureau to monitor “forbidden” grants given without government approval, took effect after the period covered by the inspection.
**Reaction from NGOs**
Transparency International Georgia’s Director, Eka Gigauri, stated that the Bureau’s actions are a response to their work in providing free legal aid to citizens and criticizing the Government’s “draconian” laws. Gigauri added that everything they do irritates the government, especially when they help Georgian citizens and fight for Georgia’s European future.
**Expert Commentary**
“This is a clear attempt by the Anti-Corruption Bureau to exert control over civil society organizations,” said Saba Brachveli, a lawyer from the Civil Society Foundation. “The requested information would allow the government to interfere with their legitimate activities and undermine public trust in human rights actors.”
“The obligation to disclose information concerning beneficiaries and third parties will have a severe chilling effect on these organizations,” added the Social Justice Center. “It will paralyze their capacity to operate effectively and undermine their ability to defend human rights.”
**Conclusion**
The Anti-Corruption Bureau’s actions have raised significant concerns among civil society organizations in Georgia. The court orders demanding sensitive information are seen as an attempt to exert control over these organizations, which is a worrying trend for the country’s democracy.
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